Life-relevant Bible-based teachings from Rev. Paul Miller, Pastor of Bushkill Community Church and St. John’s E.C. Church.
Episodes
Tuesday Feb 05, 2019
Tuesday Feb 05, 2019
Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Outline – February 3, 2019
Series Title: A Space for Worship
Today’s Title: Gathering Places for the People of God
Today’s Text: 2 Corinthians 3:7-18
Where do I go to Worship God?
- THE GARDEN & BEYOND - (Adam, Eve, and sons – Genesis 2-4)
- ALTARS TO GOD
- Noah (Genesis 8:20)
- Abraham (Genesis 12:7, 13:18, 22:9)
- Isaac (Genesis 26:25)
- Jacob (Genesis 33:30, 35:1-7)
- “GOD’S HOUSE” AT BETHEL
- Jacob’s Dream (Genesis 28:10-22)
- Jacob calls Bethel “God’s house” (28:22)
- God instructs Jacob to return to Bethel and build an altar (Genesis 35:1-15)
- MT. HOREB/SINAI
- “The mountain of God” (Exodus 3:1)
- God speaks to Moses through a burning bush (Exodus 3:2-6)
- God gives Moses the 10 Commandments and the Law (Exodus 19-31)
- God speaks to Elijah at Mt. Horeb (1 Kings 19:7-12)
- THE TABERNACLE
- Described by God in Exodus 26 & 40
- The radiant face of Moses (Exodus 34:29-35)
- God’s glory dwells there in the Ark of the Covenant (Exodus 40:34-38)
- Used as the most holy place from Moses to Solomon (nearly 500 years)
- THE TEMPLE
- Built by Solomon (1 Kings 6) – 967 BC
- Destroyed by Babylonians (2 Kings 25) – 586 BC
- Rebuilt by Zerubbabel (Ezra 5) – 515 BC
- Rebuilt again by Herod – 19 BC
- This was the Temple of Jesus’ day
- THE SYNAGOGUE
- Meeting places in each town for those practicing Judaism
- Begun just before new testament times
Jesus Transforms Worship
- THE WOMAN AT THE WELL IN SAMARIA – John 4:19-24
- True worship is spirit and truth
- THE TRANSFIGURATION – Matthew 17:1-6
- Moses = The Law
- Elijah = The Prophets
- PROPHECY ABOUT THE TEMPLE – Matthew 24:1-2
- THE “CURTAIN” IN THE TEMPLE TORN WHEN JESUS DIED – Matthew 27:50-51
- Access to God is opened up to everyone
- FREEDOM IN THE SPIRIT – 2 Corinthians 3:7-18
- Moses face (Exodus 34:29-35)
- Set free from location (2 Corinthians 3:17)
- “being transformed” (2 Corinthians 3:18)
- Metamorphoo’
- Matthew 17:2
- Romans 12:2
- 2 Corinthians 3:17
- Metamorphoo’
God’s temple is not a matter of “where”, but “who”
- 1 Corinthians 6:19
Monday Jan 28, 2019
Monday Jan 28, 2019
Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Outline – January 27, 2019
Series Title: “A Space for Worship”
Today’s Title: “Which Day is the Lord’s Day?”
Today’s Text: Colossians 2:9-23
WORSHIP WEEKLY
Sabbath
- Genesis 2:2-3 establishes Sabbath, the day God rested
- Sabbath Law was vital to keeping the Law of Moses
- Our body, mind, and soul need rest
Do/should Christians keep the Sabbath?
- In Acts, Sabbath at the synagogue used to spread the gospel
- Acts 13:15, 16:13, 17:2, 18:4
- Sabbath in the Epistles
- Colossians 2:16 – Don’t be judged by Sabbath practice
- Hebrews 4:9 –A “Sabbath rest” for God’s people
- Except Gospels, no other N.T. verse mentions “Sabbath”
Why do most Christians have public worship on Sunday?
- Scripture has some hints, but no clear directive
- Acts 20:7 – “broke bread“ on the first day of week”
- 1 Cor. 16:2 – collection “on the first day of every week”
- Revelation 1:10–John’s vision came “on the Lord’s Day”.
- Early church used “the Lord’s Day” because it was the day that Christ arose. (Ignatius of Antioch)
WORSHIP DAILY
Start every day with prayer
- Psalm 5:3, 55:17, 59:16, 88:13, 90:14, 92:1-2, 143:8
WORSHIP AS A PATTERN FOR LIFE – Romans 12:1-2
Your greatest act of worship is to be a “living sacrifice”
- By breaking the patterns that don’t work (of the world)
- By renewing your mind (thinking differently)
As transformation happens, the will of God becomes more clear
Tuesday Jan 15, 2019
Tuesday Jan 15, 2019
Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Outline – January 13, 2019
Series Title: “A Space for Worship”
Today’s Title: “What is God’s Net Worth?” (the “what” question)
Today’s Main Text: Revelation 5:6-14
What is God worth to you?
- Jesus is Worthy to unfold history (Revelation 5:9)
- “because he was slain” - His death and resurrection has impacted all of human history; then, now, and forever. (1:19)
- “persons from every tribe and language and people and nation.”
- ARE YOU ONE OF THOSE “PERSONS”?
- Jesus is Worthy to receive…. (Revelation 5:12)
….power & wealth & wisdom & strength & honor & glory & praise!”
- “receive” from where, from who? how? (4:11)
- What on that list does He lack that we could give?
- The first 4 are what I need from God
- The last 3 are what I can give to God
- All of them are how I can worship God
- The Worship (worthiness) of Christ is a Way of Life
- Acknowledge the POWER of the Gospel - Romans 1:16
- Depend upon the WEALTH OF His grace, not upon gold
- Philippians 4:19
- Accept the upside-down WISDOM of God - 1 Cor. 1:21-24
- Draw STRENGTH from His death & resurrection – Eph. 1:18-23
- HONOR the Father by believing the Son - John 5:21-23
- See Christ’s GLORY by suffering for Him - 1 Peter 4:12-14
- PRAISE is the best form of sacrifice - Hebrews 13:15
What are you worth to God?
Tuesday Jan 08, 2019
Tuesday Jan 08, 2019
Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Outline – January 6, 2019
Series Title: “A Space for Worship”
Today’s Title: “Making Space & Time for the Maker of Space & Time”
Today’s Text: Colossians 1:15-23
WHO ARE YOU? WHO IS JESUS? (Matt. 16:13-17) WHO IS GOD? (Exo. 3:11-15)
TO KNOW WHO GOD IS, LOOK TO JESUS – John 14:6-11
God is CREATOR of “all things”
- THE PHYSICAL - Heaven & Earth
- MATTER & SPIRIT - Visible & invisible
- AUTHORITY - Thrones, powers & rulers
- TIME – Before all things
- ORDER – All things hold together
- THE CHURCH – Head of the church
- DEATH & LIFE – conquered death
God is RECONCILER of “all things”
- In Heaven
- On Earth
- Peace Through Christ’s blood
YOU are…
- INCLUDED! - HOLY!
- WITHOUT BLEMISH! - FREE FROM ACCUSATION!
…IF YOU CONTINUE…
- IN THE FAITH - ESTABLISHED & FIRM
- UNMOVED BECAUSE OF HOPE - FOUND IN THE “GOSPEL”
Which has been proclaimed to every “creature”!
Monday Dec 31, 2018
Monday Dec 31, 2018
Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Outline – December 30, 2018
Series Title: “Jesus Came to Give”
Today’s Title: “He Came to Give Love & Life”
Today’s Text: John 15:9-17 & John 10:10
Getting Better at Love…
- Remain in God’s Love (v9-10)
- John 15:5
- Obey the Command to Love (v10-12)
- 1 John 4:11-12
- Love Others Like God Loves You (v12)
- Matthew 22:34-40
- Give Yourself Away (v13-15)
- 1 John 3:16
- A Friend of God Loves Their Friends (v13-15)
- Proverbs 17:17
- Plan to be Fruitful (v16)
- Galatians 5:22-23
- Never Stop Loving (v17)
- 1 Corinthians 13:7-8
Monday Dec 24, 2018
Monday Dec 24, 2018
Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Outline – December 23, 2018
Series Title: Jesus Came to Give
Today’s Title: He Came to Give Joy!
Today’s Text: James 1:1-12
Begin with the end in mind
- The Beginning: “Consider it pure joy….”
- The End: “…not lacking anything.”
JOY BEGINS HERE
“Consider it pure joy, …..whenever you face trials of many kinds,…”
- “consider”- see trials differently
- bring a new mindset to trials
- “many kinds” – loss, grief, illness, broken relationships,
injustice, poverty
JOY IS REFINED HERE
“the testing of your faith” – 1 Peter 1:6-7
- Believing that God is in the trial, no matter the outcome
- “Where are you, God?” is a faith building question
“produces perseverance.” – 2 Peter 1:5-8
- If your faith is never tested, how will you grow?
JOY IS COMPLETED HERE
“Let perseverance finish its work”
- Don’t just read the Bible, let the Bible read you
– James 1:22-25
- That which lasts long does not come quickly
- 1 Cor. 13:4, Gal. 5:22 Col. 3:12
“so that you may be mature and complete” - grown up – Ephesians 4:15
“not lacking anything.”
- YOU can be enough!
- YOU can have what you need to live
- YOU can become ready for whatever life brings
JOY WAS PRESENT HERE
- Because humble people believed the message from God about the Christ (shepherds)
- Because wise people looked for God in the darkness until they found the light (the Magi)
Tuesday Dec 11, 2018
Tuesday Dec 11, 2018
Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Outline – December 9, 2018
Series Title: “Jesus Came to Give”
Today’s Title: “He Came to Give Faith”
Today’s Text: Matthew 8:5-13 & 23-27
7 EXAMPLES OF GREAT FAITH IN THE GOSPELS
- A CENTURION (on behalf of his sick servant) Matthew 8:5-13 (v10) healed from far away
- FRIENDS OF A PARALYTIC - Matthew 9:1-8 (v2)
- A BLEEDING WOMAN – Mark. 5:24-34 (v34)
- A CANAANITE WOMAN (identified as “Greek” in Mark 7) (on behalf of her demon possessed daughter) – Matthew 15:21-28 (v28) – healed from far away
- BARTIMAEUS - (a persistent blind man) -Mk. 10:46-52 (v52)
- A “SINFUL” WOMAN - Luke 7:36-50 (v50) – washed Jesus feet in the presence of “the 12”, and of Pharisees in the home of a Pharisee for this dinner)
7. A SAMARITAN LEPER - Luke 17:11-19 (v19) – (healed along with 9 others)
Monday Nov 26, 2018
Monday Nov 26, 2018
Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Outline – November 25, 2018
Series Title: “What Does God Require?”
Today’s Title: “To Walk Humbly with Your God”
Today’s Text: Micah 6:8 & 1 Peter 5:1-11
Wear Humility
Proverbs 31:25
Ephesians 4:22-25
Colossians 3:12-14
1 Peter 1:5
Walk Humbly
Humble is NOT…
selfish smug
self-seeking proud
self-righteous rude
ignorant arrogant
apathetic conceited
…concerned with who gets the credit (or the blame)
… jealous of the success of others
…seeking attention, accolades, or glory
…waiting around to be noticed or thanked
Humble…
…is prepared to put the needs of the “other” ahead of my own needs
…knows that God sees what they I do, and that is enough
…finds satisfaction in the simple things
…has no hidden agenda
…is willing to let go of personal gain for the sake of the “other”
…is ready to let go of rights in order to help the “other”
…knows failure and extends grace to those who fail
Philippians 2:5-11
Tuesday Nov 20, 2018
Tuesday Nov 20, 2018
Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Outline – November 18, 2018
Series Title: “This is What God Requires”
Today’s Title: "To Love Mercy"
Today’s Text: Micah 6:8 & Matthew 9:9-13
KINDNESS & MERCY COME FROM THE HEART OF GOD - - WHAT’S IN YOUR HEART?
Micah 6:8 – “to love mercy”?
How far does the mercy of God go?
To Nineveh in the days of Jonah
- After running, Jonah warned to Nineveh (Jonah 1 &2)
- Nineveh repented and God changed His mind (Jonah 3:6-10)
JONAH DID NOT LOVE MERCY (Jonah 4:1-4)
To the Tax Collectors in the Gospels
Matthew (Matthew 9:9-13)
‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ ( v13 from Hosea 6:6)
THE PHARISEES DID NOT LOVE MERCY
Zacchaeus (Luke 19:1-10)
“All the people….began to mutter,” (19:7)
“THE PEOPLE” DID NOT LOVE MERCY
Parable of the Pharisee & the Tax Collector (Luke 18:9-14)
THE PHARISEE DID NOT LOVE MERCY
The Roman Centurion (Matthew 8:5-13)
The demon possessed man in Gerasenes (Mark 5:1-20)
The Samaritan woman at the well (John 4)
- The criminals crucified next to Christ (Luke 23:39-43)
Paul on mercy, kindness, & repentance
- Romans 2:4
- 2 Corinthians 7:10
How freely do you extend the kindness & mercy of God?
Grudgingly? Hesitantly? Conditionally? Dutifully?
Lovingly?
KINDNESS & MERCY COME FROM THE HEART OF GOD
WHAT’S IN YOUR HEART?
Tuesday Nov 13, 2018
Tuesday Nov 13, 2018
Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Outline – November 11, 2018
Series Title: “This is What God Requires”
Today’s Title: “To Act Justly”
Today’s Text: Micah 6:8 & Luke 4:14-21
The Power of Three: Justice – Mercy – Humility
Jesus Modeled Justice from the start (Luke 4:14-21)
To proclaim good news to the poor
To proclaim freedom for the prisoners
To recover sight for the blind
To set the oppressed free
To proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor
“poor”, “prisoners”, “blind”, & “oppressed” occur 106x in the Gospels
What are your Priorities? How do your ACTIONS help…
the poor (all those who lack what they need the most)
the prisoners (imprisoned addictions, slaves to sin)
the blind (blind to truth, living in darkness)
the oppressed (politically, economically, socially)
Acting justly,(doing the work of justice), requires confrontation of the oppressor.
Just never forget that every oppressor is eligible for MERCY